When it comes to faith, our kids often mirror what they see in us.
So what do our kids see in us? Are you busy, bored, overwhelmed, intentional, someone with genuine faith? How current is your relationship with God? Can you tell a story about how God showed up in your life from today, this week, this month? Who are you today in the eyes of your kids? Proverbs 27:19 says As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.
This hit home for me a couple years ago when I was driving my daughter home from dance. I had just read in a book about Christian parenting that said I should be asking my child where she saw God in her day as a way to build her faith, so I did. Maddie answered my question with the same question: Where had I seen God in my day? As I struggled to answer her I realized that my own faith was not current. I could go days without seeing God during the day, without any story about how He had been present with me. I couldn’t expect my kids to have a powerful, real faith if I didn’t reflect that in my own life.
It really does start with you. It is important that you embrace your role as the primary spiritual influencer in your child’s life. Your kids need to see who you are and who you are becoming. The hard part is there is no script, no five easy steps or checklist to have a thriving relationship with God. You have to know yourself, know how you connect to God and stay connected with Him and then put it into practice.
If you are feeling far from God, remember times you felt close to Him and think about what you were doing, what practices both practical and contemplative that you had put into practice. If you don’t make your own faith a priority you won’t be able to create an environment where your child’s faith can grow. Moments when you genuinely share your heart for God with your child are powerful and happen more authentically when your faith is current.
Today’s blog post is written by Lisa Bohn, the Parent Engagement Specialist here at Awana. Read what she has to say about kids mirroring the faith of their parents.
This week whenever you look in the mirror take an intentional moment to think about what your life is reflecting from your heart. Is your heart connected or disconnected to God? Capture these “mirror moments” throughout the day—as you get ready in the morning, when you look in the rearview mirror of your car, at bedtime when you help your kids brush their teeth.
When you are current in your faith what does that look like? What are you doing? Who are you spending time with? Is who you are today who you want your kids to become? Remember, God isn’t done with you yet. Let Him and your kids see you as you are.
